Deploying fonts across your organization using SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) ensures consistency and simplifies management. This guide outlines the process, addressing common questions and best practices.
Why Deploy Fonts with SCCM?
Managing fonts centrally offers several advantages:
- Consistency: Ensures all machines use the same fonts, leading to consistent document appearance across the organization.
- Simplified Management: Centralized deployment simplifies updates and removes the need for manual installation on individual machines.
- Reduced Support Calls: Fewer font-related issues translate to reduced IT support requests.
- Compliance: Helps maintain compliance with branding guidelines or specific software requirements.
Preparing Fonts for SCCM Deployment
Before deploying, organize your fonts efficiently:
- Gather Fonts: Collect all the necessary font files (.ttf, .otf). Ensure you have the right to distribute these fonts.
- Organize Fonts: Create a clearly named folder structure (e.g., by font family or project). This makes management easier within SCCM.
- Test Fonts: Thoroughly test the fonts on a sample machine before deploying to your entire environment to identify any compatibility issues.
- Licensing: Verify the licensing terms of each font to ensure compliance. Some fonts require specific licenses for enterprise deployment.
Creating the SCCM Application
The process involves creating an application package within SCCM. Here's a step-by-step guide:
-
Create a Package: In the SCCM console, navigate to Software Library > Application Management > Packages. Right-click and select "Create Package."
-
Package Information: Provide a descriptive name and version. Choose a relevant source folder where your organized font files reside.
-
Program: This is crucial. You'll need to create a program that installs the fonts. The simplest method uses a batch script. The script should use the
copycommand to place the font files into the system's font directory (typically%windir%\fonts). Example Batch Script:@echo off copy *.ttf "%windir%\fonts" /y copy *.otf "%windir%\fonts" /y echo Fonts deployed successfully.Save this script as a
.batfile within your source folder. -
Program Details: In the program details, specify the command line as
your_script_name.bat. Set the detection method (more on this below). -
Deployment Type: Select "Standard Program."
-
Distribution Points: Assign the package to your distribution points for efficient delivery to client machines.
Detection Method for Font Deployment
A crucial aspect of SCCM deployments is the detection method. This ensures that SCCM only installs the fonts if they are not already present. A robust detection method reduces unnecessary installations and potential conflicts. You can achieve this through a few methods:
- Registry Check: A script can check the registry for the existence of the specific font files. This approach is complex and requires advanced scripting skills but offers precise detection.
- File Existence Check: A simpler method involves checking if the font files already exist in the
%windir%\fontsdirectory. This can be achieved within the program's detection rules. SCCM can easily check if files exist on the client device.
Deploying the Font Application
Once the application is created, you can deploy it to target collections of devices within your SCCM infrastructure. Consider creating specific collections for testing purposes to ensure the deployment is flawless.
Troubleshooting Font Deployment
Common issues include:
- Permissions: Ensure the SCCM account has appropriate permissions to write to the
%windir%\fontsdirectory. - Script Errors: Check the batch script for any syntax errors that may prevent successful font installation. Examine the SCCM logs for detailed error messages.
- Font Conflicts: If you encounter conflicts, carefully review which fonts are already installed and resolve any naming conflicts.
- User Rights: Ensure the user has the necessary permissions to access and use the deployed fonts.
Further Considerations
- Font Management Tools: For larger organizations, consider integrating dedicated font management tools alongside SCCM for more advanced features and reporting.
- User Experience: Communicate the font deployment to end-users to minimize disruptions.
- Testing: Always test the deployment thoroughly in a pilot environment before deploying widely.
By following these steps and addressing potential issues proactively, you can effectively deploy fonts using SCCM, ensuring consistency and simplifying font management across your enterprise. Remember to consult Microsoft's official documentation for the most up-to-date information on SCCM features and best practices.
